Home

How to prevent fires, inside and outside the home

candle and ring

Whether you’re cooking for your family or relaxing by the fireplace, consider these tips for preventing fires inside and outside your home.

1. Stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking on the stove.

Whether you’re frying, boiling, grilling, broiling, or toasting, kitchen fires can start at a moment’s notice. You’ll want to be there to put it out before it becomes a problem. It is also smart to stay at home and check regularly on food that is roasting or baking inside the stove and use a timer to remind you when to take it out.

2. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regularly.

You should have a smoke alarm in every bedroom outside each additional sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement – preferably interconnected alarms that will all go off if one detects smoke. Test them at least once a month.

3. Properly dispose of fireplace ashes.

Allow them to cool for 12 -24 hours, place them in a metal bucket, and then move the bucket outside until there are no more hot spots. Get your chimney inspected and cleaned before the holidays.

4. Keep burnable items three feet away from heating equipment.

Items such as furniture, throw pillows, blankets, and rugs should be kept away from furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, and portable space heaters. Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room.

5. Install fire sprinklers in your home.

If a home fire occurs, the risk of dying decreases by about 80 percent when the home is equipped with a fire sprinkler system. And, installing a home sprinkler system may reduce your homeowner's insurance as well.

6. Burn candles in sturdy, fire-proof containers.

Make sure they can’t tip over, and extinguish all candles before going to bed or leaving a room.

7. Check your electrical cords.

Keep electric cords out from under rugs, and make sure they’re not frayed or damaged in any way. If they are, replace them immediately.

8. Clean up your yard.

Wildfires can happen any time. Keep your yard free of dried debris, such as brush, weeds, vegetation, dead trees and shrubs, and anything else that might catch fire if a stray spark were to settle on them. Be sure to clear your property with appropriate power equipment and not during the heat of a dry day, as sparks from a lawn mower or weed wacker hitting a rock can start a fire.

Insights and expertise

We help you stay ahead and informed with these helpful tips and tricks for protecting your home, car, and more.
Why a 4-point inspection is essential for Florida homeowners
Home
Why a 4-point inspection is essential for Florida homeowners
Many insurers require Florida homeowners to get a 4-point inspection including roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC before issuing or renewing a policy.
Key benefits of a wind mitigation inspection of your home
Home
Key benefits of a wind mitigation inspection of your home
Inspecting and upgrading your home to help prevent wind damage can make your home safer, while potentially saving you money on insurance and repairs.
people working on home renovation
Home
10 tips for preventing fires during building and renovation work
When planning a home maintenance or renovation project, make sure your contractor and other workers follow these simple fire safety rules to keep your home safe.
home with solar panels on roof
Home
Upgrade your home to prevent damage and help the environment
Investing in resilient improvements to your home can prevent damage caused by severe weather.
lightning striking on sky
Home
When lightning strikes: How to stay safe
Although your chances of being struck by lightning in a given year are only around 1 in 500,000, it's always a good idea to use caution when the forecast calls for thunderstorms. Here's how to keep your home and your family safe.
entrance of the house
Home
The smartest way to prevent water damage – and 7 tips to get you started
As a homeowner, the odds of experiencing water damage in your home are greater than facing a fire, theft, or liability loss combined – unless you take action to prevent it now.
Home
Protecting your home from extreme heat
Take these key steps to prevent damage to your home and belongings from heat waves.
frozen red pipe
Home
Key ways to prevent water damage from frozen pipes
When the temperature falls to 32ºF or below, you can prevent water damage from freezing pipes by taking a few simple steps.

Find an Agent

Speak to an independent agent about your insurance needs.